Behavioral problems in dogs wearing punishment collars

This type of necklace is used to try to correct a behavior, but rather it masks it and, in the process, infringes fear in certain situations, which can end up resulting in agresisivad

he spiked, electric or hanging collars have long been seen as effective tools for correcting dog behavior. However, over time, it has been seen that dogs wearing punishment collars do not improve, but develop new behavioral problems.

What are punishment necklaces?

Punishment collars are also called training collars. These collars are objects or devices that are placed on dogs’ necks and cause them to have a negative experience when they act incorrectly.

Electric collars, for example, produce a vibration or electric shock when the trainer presses a button on the remote control, or activate themselves when the dog’s throat vibrates to bark.

Spike collars have metal or plastic spikes that stick into the dog’s neck when the dog pulls on the leash or is tugged to correct its behavior. Hanging collars, on the other hand, are movable collars that narrow without limit over the neck of the animal.

These collars have been used for many years in the education of dogs. For a while, it was thought that they were effective and that dogs who wear punishment collars learn to behave better, but it is being shown that not only are they not effective, but they only cause new problems.

Today, there are still many dog handlers who use these collars. However, in many places they are prohibited by law: in many countries of Europe and others outside the continent they are illegal; in Spain, they are being regulated by autonomous communities.

Why do dogs who wear punishment collars

There are many reasons that can lead an owner to wear a punishment collar on his dog: usually, bad advice from someone who is not a professional dog groomer, such as a neighbor who has large dogs or a veterinarian who sees the opportunity to sell a new collar.

In general, dogs who wear punishment collars wear them to try to solve a behavioral problem that worries their owner: leash pulls, aggressiveness or an excess of energy in the street.

However, punishment collars are not a solution to behavior problems: at best, they hide the initial problem. That is to say, the dog learns to contain himself so as not to receive the annoying stimulus, such as the discharge or the pinching of the spikes in the neck.

This doesn’t solve the behavior problem: it just hides it. The day the owner gets rid of the training collar or the dog’s discomfort increases, the owner’s concern will return. To solve a behavioral problem, you have to go to the root of it, and a necklace will never be the solution.

Behavioral problems that occur with its use
Training collars not only don’t solve behavior problems, they make them worse and can cause new ones.